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Australian boffins brew up a hydrating beer

Christopher Talbot

Thanks to the world of Australian scientists, you can now hydrate by drinking beer.

Quenching a hard earned thirst with a big cold beer just got better for you – thanks to the work of some clever Queensland scientists.

Researchers from Griffith University's health institute have discovered that it is possible to substantially improve the hydrating effects of the amber ale.

By adding electrolytes, an ingredient commonly found in sports drinks, and reducing the alcohol content researchers found that beer could become even more refreshing. And the best news for beer drinkers is that the taste of the modified brews didn't change.

As part of the study, the researchers modified two commercial beers, one regular strength and one light beer. They then gave them to volunteers who had worked up a sweat after exercise to test fluid recovery.

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Associate Professor Ben Desbrow said the light beer which had been combined with electrolytes provided the best level of hydration.

"Of the four different beers the subjects consumed, our augmented light beer was by far the most well retained by the body, meaning it was the most effective at re-hydrating the subjects," he said.

Professor Desbrow said it was more effective to tell people how to minimise dehydration than telling them not to drink.

"If you're going to live in the real world, you can either spend your time telling people what they shouldn't do, or you can work on ways of reducing the danger of some of these socialised activities," he said.

The new super beer paves the way for products to be developed that could reduce the likelihood of the dreaded hangover; so it's a triumphant day for beer drinkers everywhere.

7 comments so far

Now, after 52 years of trying to tell She Who Must Be Obeyed that it is OK to drink beer......I have found vindication!!!!!!!!!! From now on I will not be having another beer...........I shall be re-hydrating a spent and depleted moisture base, what a way to get rid of the sweat!!!!!!!!!!!

Commenter

roundman

Location

Adelaide

Date and time

August 17, 2013, 2:31PM

We badly need a beer party in this election , the policies could be awsome , 'refugees get citizenship if they agree to culturally 'embrace the amber''? ' People smugglers target malt and hops as beer sales spike the economy", "Both major parties vie for beer vote by out gunning each other with reduced excise on beer '? , 'Labor announces new beer ministry with job projections of 2000% , "beer industry encouraged to create work for the dole/beer programmes" , 'australian economy back on its slightly unsteady feet , after mining collapse , due to both leaders skulling yard glasses of sports electrolytic beer'? "Bipartisan support expected for new carbo neutral beer economy , from Greens , KAP , PUP , but not senator exenophobia'.

Commenter

poider boittie

Location

maryborough

Date and time

August 17, 2013, 4:00PM

The article mentions something called 'light beer'. Can anyone tell me what that is, as I can't for the life on me imagine such a substance. Does it glow in the dark?

Commenter

Caffetierra Moka

Location

Sector 7-G

Date and time

August 17, 2013, 5:32PM

I'd like to know the effects of drinking it normally rather than after exertion.

Commenter

Evan Hadkins

Location

Sydney

Date and time

August 17, 2013, 6:16PM

I make the best home brew (honey mead ale) on the planet and don't need hydrating because after one bottle, i just need to stand up.

Commenter

Cowboy

Location

The Great Divide

Date and time

August 17, 2013, 10:20PM

Life is too short to drink light beer.

Commenter

Mike

Location

Taree

Date and time

August 18, 2013, 7:14AM

Funny, Choice magazine and various scientific organisations have more than once cast strong doubts on the claims of sports energy drinks to achieve anything like what's claimed by the hype. Now we have similar hype, allegedly by 'scientists', regarding beer with - sound the Fanfare - ELECTROLYTES!!!

Anyone with a modicum of knowledge would know 'electrolytes' are simply liquids, such as water, containing dissolved stuff (salts etc), that can conduct electric currents. No magic here!